Thursday, April 27, 2017

On
Monday, April 24, CETA hosted its Annual Master of Architecture Thesis
Presentations in the Harry Jack Gray’s 1877 Club. The work of 16 second-year
graduate students was on display from 12:00 to 1:00pm, followed by individual
presentations and reviews of each project.The event was culminated by a reception in the Rotunda from 6:00 to 8:00
pm.

Graduate
Program Director and Thesis Coordinator Daniel Davis, AIA, was pleased with a
high turnout, as approximately 250 people were in attendance.

Thesis
Supervisors Mark Hopper, AIA; Craig Saunders, AIA and Tyler Smith, FAIA
supported a wide range of student projects,including academic buildings, museums, a rehabilitation retreat, a
refuge center, a library, a community center, a transit oriented development,
an urban market, an office building, and a tiny house.. Twenty-one industry
professional reviewers attended the event and provided feedback following each
student presentation.These reviews from
practicing architects help prepare students for their professional lives where
design presentations are an integral part of having a project built.

Selected thesis
projects will be exhibited throughout Connecticut including the AIA/Connecticut
Gallery in New Haven, designated architectural firms, and selected other
venues. Thesis
Awards will be announced at graduation ceremony.The M.Arch. thesis presentations are an
excellent showcase of architectural design talent at the University of Hartford
to the wider professional community.

Did you know bones weaken in space? Experiencing microgravity, or weightlessness, can be thrilling for astronauts. “But,” says biomedical engineering major, Jacqueline Maynard ‘17, “a side effect is the loss of as much as 40 percent of their bone mass in a single expedition, making fractures and long term complications like osteoporosis very likely.”

To counteract this and potentially help the general population that has degenerative bone conditions, Jacqueline and other students in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) are conducting experiments in the University’s new Tissue Engineering Lab. The project is funded by the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, a federally supported grant, internship, and scholarship program for students pursuing careers in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM).

Our students are testing whether the mechanical vibrations of sound can alter the stem cells of mice grown in an artificial environment. Prior research has shown that when mechanical vibrations are applied to the cells at the right frequency, they may increase or maintain bone mass, possibly because sound waves stimulate muscles, much like exercise does. “We believe acoustic waves could be a therapeutic approach we can potentially use to stimulate bone formation and improve bone health,” says Andrea Kwaczala, assistant professor of civil, environmental, and biomedical engineering.

The research also involves two acoustic engineering students, Anna Elefante ’17 and Lucas Shearer, ’17. With their advisor, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Eoin King, Anna and Lucas designed and built a desktop acoustic chamber with a cell culture plate holder to house the cells. “This system allows us to apply sound or ‘white noise’ waves at varying frequencies to stimulate cell growth,” says Anna.

Friday, April 21, 2017

The CI and CETA Mix and Mingle
event took place on April 18, 2017 in the Architecture Studio on the
University of Hartford campus. Students showcased their work to those in
attendance, including professionals from Gilbane Building Company, JCJ
Architecture, Id3A, Tecton Architects, Clohessy Harris & Kaiser,
LLC, Eversource, MBH Architecture, Crosskey Architects, The Master's
Construction Corp. and Szewczak Associates.

CETA student and Construction Institute Student Organization
President Mutazz Bulter (Senior, Architectural Engineering Technology
major) said that student feedback was very positive, and that this is
the type of event that students ask for. "I personally felt that it
was a great event. I liked the atmosphere of it where it wasn't too
formal and we were able to be candid with professionals about what we
want for our futures and our current experiences as college students and
aspiring young professionals.", said Butler.

Additional student feedback was also positive.

"I thought the event was great! We were able to meet with
professionals, give them tours of the architecture studio, network, and
even show our own work. It was definitely a great time." - Jezelle Gordon, Senior, Architectural Engineering Technology major.

"The Mix and Mingle was a fun event that turned into spontaneous
conversation which helped me gather some tips and info to help further
my studies and future." - John Turner, Sophomore, Architectural Engineering Technology major.

"I thought it was a good opportunity for student to meet with professionals and learn a few things." - Justin Barros, Junior, Architectural Engineering Technology major.

For more information on how you can become involved in the
Construction Institute Student Organization or with CI workshops and
events, contact the CISO at CISTUDENT@hartford.edu or Laura Eldredge at eldredge@hartford.edu.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

CETA had their yearly awards luncheon to distribute
scholarships and recognize students for their academic success on Tuesday,
April 18, 2017. The event kicked off with a presentation by Dean Lou Manzione
to recognize the donors that make CETA scholarships possible, and to
congratulate students on their success in the rigorous academic programs we
teach in the College.

The CETA students, faculty, staff and a small group of
generous CETA donors shared a lunch catered by Aramark. The lunch was followed
by short speeches by two students from each department thanking the CETA donors
for their generosity. The students were asked to share what being a scholarship
recipient means to them. Each student presentation was unique and heartfelt.

Ninety-six CETA students received scholarship awards
and twenty-two students were selected by the faculty in their departments to be
recognized for high academic achievement and accomplishments in the CETA
community.